Cannes or Bust » Hotel Martinez

Special hotels deals for the last weekend of August

Cannes or Bust — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:05:52 +0000

The weather forecast for the next 10 days is 17-29°. So you still have a chance to catch some last-minute sun in Cannes in August 2011. To top it all, some hotels are offering special rates.

The Neotelia Pavilion Bel Air is located just above the railway station, about 15 minutes from the Croisette by foot. What’s interesting is the size of the accommodation. They have special rates from €256 for 2 nights, down from €320.
The Hotel Beau Séjour is close to the old town and beach. The 3-star accommodation is complemented by a garden and pool. Special ate: €250, down from €360.
The Hotel Martinez is a grand Art Deco hotel on the Croisette with its own private jetty. This is one of the absolute top hotels in Cannes. Their sea-view prestige room is available from €1424, down from €1962.

For a longer stay, check the Fauvettes studio. 10 minutes from the beach, 15 from the Palais.

RIP: Captain Beefheart

Cannes or Bust — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 23:22:34 +0000

Cannes is what people make of it. I doubt that Captain Beefheart was a regular visitor, but in this video of his band playing on the beach in front of the Martinez in 1968 he leaves a deep impression. The 69 year-old pioneer of blues rock died on Friday, December 2010 after a long struggle with multiple sclerosis. Critic Lester Bangs cited Beefheart as “one of the four or five unqualified geniuses to rise from the hothouses of American music in the Sixties”. The BBC’s late John Peel narrated a documentary on him. His influence reaches far beyond his own success as a performer.

His maverick style will continue to influence generations, and so Cannes can consider itself lucky to have hosted him briefly and that someone 42 years ago had the foresight to tape the show.

B&W photo: Jean-Luc Ourlin, courtesy of Flickr

Midem Talent line-up announced

Cannes or Bust — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:16:42 +0000

The fourth MidemTalent sidebar will put the spotlight on 8 up-coming groups or artists with strong international potential in a series of concerts on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 January 2011, as part of the 45th MIDEM, in Cannes.

MidemTalent showcases artists with established reputations in their home territories, and whose appearance at MIDEM will offer international visibility and the opportunity to find new worldwide partners. “Whether pop, rock, folk or electronic, all the major genres will be represented this year among these talented artists, each with undeniable potential for international success,” said Luc Charles, MIDEM’s Artistic Director. “Over two days, MIDEM will welcome some of the most promising names from Britain (Monarchy), America (Oh No Oh My), Belgium (Puggy), Ireland (James Vincent McMorrow, Yes Cadets), Italy (Malika Ayane) and France (Curry & Coco), plus a special guest from America, Saul Williams.”

It’s interesting that most of the bands are signed to major labels or publishers, and yet nonetheless have MySpace pages.

After a quick scan through the artists, our shortlist is: Yes Cadets, Malika Yanae and Puggy. Remember where you heard about them first. If you have other tips for Midem, please feel free to leave them as a comment. Last year’s tips proved very interesting. Click through for the line-up:


Monday 24 January 2011 – Hotel Martinez, Salon Acajou
OH NO OH MY, (US, Moelleux Records)
YES CADETS (UK)
MONARCHY (UK, Mercury)
CURRY & COCO (France, Peermusic)

Tuesday 25 January 2011 – Hotel Martinez, Ballroom
JAMES VINCENT MC MORROW (Ireland, Believe)
MALIKA AYANE (Italy, Sugar Music)
PUGGY (Belgium, Mercury / Universal)
SAUL WILLIAMS (US, Columbia / Sony Music France)

Hotel Martinez offers birthday rates (after Midem)

Cannes or Bust — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:40:08 +0000

In 1929, Emmanuel Martinez built the seafront hotel that bears his name on the Croisette in Cannes. 80 years later, “la belle dame” is directed by Richard Schilling and has become a highly respected establishment in the world of international luxury hotels. It’s also one of the key meeting points after hours for the trade fairs, notably Midem.

With seven floors, the Martinez boasts 412 bedrooms and suites including the prestigious Penthouse Suite, one of the largest in Europe with a surface area of 1000m².

As the hotel is celebrating 80 years in 2009, they are offering special €80 rates February 1-28 with reservations opening January 9, 2009.

So Midem regulars won’t be able to benefit from it, unfortunately. Details on Hotel Martinez, Cannes.

Hotel Martinez up for sale?

Cannes or Bust — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:02:23 +0000

According to a report on Car Rentals.co.uk, the Hotel Martinez in Cannes is being put on sale as part of the Concorde Groupe, currently owned by Starwood Capital. The hotel is one of the key venues on the Croisette, and features strongly in all events held in Cannes. Built in the 30s, it is notable for its numerous reception rooms that host the largest parties in Cannes. At 2,500 m², it ranks second only to the Palais itself in terms of capacity.

The likely acquirer is JJW Hotels & Resorts, part of MBI International controlled by Saudi businessman, Sheik Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber.